Can opening device



Nov. 25, 1 2 H. c. JOHNSON CAN OPENING DEVICE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Feb. 15, 1950 INENTOR. ffereri C (IO/Z72 6072/,

Nov. 25, 1952 H.'c. JOHNSON 2,613,848

CAN OPENING DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1950 s Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

flereriflfaimeam Nov. 25, 1952 H. c. JOHNSON 2,618,848

CAN OPENING DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, .1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Nov. 25, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 16 Claims.

The present invention relates to can opening apparatus and in particular to can opening de vices of the rotary type wherein a cutting blade or element is caused to penetrate the head or end of a sealed receptacle such as a tin can or the like from the outside thereof in the vicinity of or beneath the usual rolled circumferential bead by means of which the lid or end is joined to the can body, and wherein the can is supported in the device for rotation about its own longitudinal axis and rotated until the lid is completely cut out or separated from the can body.

Still more specifically, the invention relates to the type of can opener briefly outlined above and in which, additionally, continued rotation of a single operating handle in one direction will first serve to advance an applied can, by a longitudinal shifting operation, into initial cutting relation with respect to the cutting element and thereafter to rotate the can throughout one complete revolution while in engagement with the cutting element, at which time the lid or end of the can will have been progressively and completely severed from the can body. Can opening devices of the type referred to are so constructed that after the can 1id or end has been severed from the can body, rotation of the single operating handle in the opposite direction will-serve to retract or release the can body from engagement with the cutting tool by a longitudinal shifting movement of the can so that the can and its contents may be manually removed from the can opening device and the can contents disposed of.

It is one of the principal objects of the present invention to provide a can opening device of the type set forth above in which the can-advancing means is positive in its action and becomes effective upon initial turning movement of the operating handle immediately after application of a can to the device in such a manner that all of the torque applied to the operating handle is in turn applied to the can-advancing means and continues to be thus applied until such time as the cutting tool has penetrated the can lid or end, after which time the can-advancing means is positively locked in cutting position relative to the cutting tool at substantially all times during the forward rotation of the operating handle, thereby preventing accidental relative displacement between the can body and the cutting tool and consequent loss of support for the can by the can opening device. In carrying out the above object, the invention contemplates the provision of a triple acting clutch mechanism which, upon initial turning movement of the operating handle,

serves to cause engagement between certain operating parts to actuate or advance the can advancing means until such time as the can has moved into cutting engagement with the cutting element; after which time the clutch operates in the manner of a one-way engaging device to prevent extraction of the can-advancing means while at the same time permitting overrunning of the operating parts for the purpose of effecting can rotation for lid severing purposes.

Another and similar object of the invention is to provide a can opening device of this type having an improved actuating mechanism whereby reverse rotation of the single operating handle after the can lid or end has been severed from the can body will serve to positively withdraw the can-advancing means from cooperation with the cutting tool by a reversal of the operation of the operating handle, thus eliminating the necessity of prying or applying external force to the can-advancing means to release the canbody from the cutting tool, which expedient is often necessitated when non-positive or frictional force is relied upon to accomplish this withdrawing function.

Yet another similar and related object of the invention is the provision of a can opening device in which the can rotating means constitutes a part of the canadvancing means and, during the actual can-advancing operation, moves orbitally about a fixed axis upon initial rotation of the operating handle after the application of a can to the device in such a manner that a high mechanical advantage or leverage is attained in advancing the can into initial cutting engagement with the cutting element. Conversely, an object of the invention resides in the fact that reverse orbital movement of the can rotating means which constitutes a part of the can-advancing means, takes place upon application of reverse torque directly to the operating handle after the can lid or end has been severed from the can body so that a similar mechanical advantage is obtained in withdrawing the can body from the cutting means. Such a mechanical advantage is desirable in can openers of this type inasmuch as frequently the cutting tool actually performs its cutting action behind or beneath the rolled circumferential bead and, after the. can lid or end has been severed from the can body, the tension existing within the bead is relieved so that the latter expands in such a manner as to bind the can lid to the cutter.

Another advantage of the present invention is predicated upon the fact that the can rotating means, which forms a part of the can-advancing means, causes the can to be rotated initially in its cutting direction while at the same time advancing the can bodily toward the cutting tool so that when the tool first assumes its position behind or beneath the circumferential rolled bead and in contact with the extreme peripheral edge of the can lid or end, the can lid is actually rotating in the proper direction to facilitate easy penetration of the cutter therethrough and subsequent progressive cutting action.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel type of mounting for a can opener or other cutting device in order that the same may be detachably supported from a wall or other supporting surface in such a manner that the device may be locked rigidly in a perpendicular operating position relative to the supporting surface. An incidental feature of this novel type of mounting means resides in the fact that when the can opening device is in its operative perpendicular position with respect to the supporting surface, any accidental vertical thrust applied to the can opening device proper, as for example when a defective or irregular can is encountered requiring undue upward thrust on the operating handle, will not cause the device to become completely dislodged from the mounting bracket upon which it is supported.

It is another object of the invention to provide a can opening device having a novel type of magnetic pickup device associated therewith which may be manipulated by the operator in such a manner as to insure positive attraction of the severed can lid or end and removal of the same from the can body, thus preventing contamination of the conents of the can by contact with the severed can end, while at the same time gathering up any metal scraps or shavings that otherwise might fall into the can and contaminate the contents thereof.

The provision of a can opening device of the character set forth above, in which many of the operative moving parts thereby are completely enclosed within a casing and are thus protected against moisture and the introduction of foreign matter; one which is comprised of a minimum number of moving parts and which as a consequence is unlikely to get out of order; one in which there are no highly critical dimensions; one in which many of the parts may readily be formed by a die-casting operation; and one which is relatively small and compact, yet rugged and durable and attractive in its appearance, are further desirable features that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

In the accompanying two sheets of drawings forming a part of this specification, two embodiments of the invention have been shown. In these drawings,

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a can opener and mounting bracket therefor constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and showing the can-advancing means in its retracted position preparatory to receiving a can or other receptacle to be opened;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the can opening device illustrated in Fig. 1 and showing the can-advancing means in its uppermost position;

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of the can opener illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary, top plan view of the can opener illustrated in Fig. 1;

I on such receptacles.

Fig. 5 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially along the line 55 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 6 is a vertical, sectional view taken substantially along the line 66 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional View taken substantially along the line !1 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view taken substantially along the line 88 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary, vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 5 but showing the can-advancing means in an intermediate position between its uppermost and lowermost positions;

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of a modified form of can opener constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

Fig. 11 is a front elevational view of a mounting bracket employed in connection with the present invention;

Fig. 12 is a side elevational view of the mounting bracket shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary, rear elevational view of the can opener showing the construction of a foot portion which is adapted to cooperate with the mounting bracket of Figs. 11 and 12; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially centrally through a magnetic pickup device employed in connection with the present invention, showing its manner of attachment to the can opener frame; and

Fig. 15 is a top plan view of the device shown in Fig. 14.

Briefly, the invention contemplates the provision of a can opening device including a cutting element which may be a fixed, blade-like element or it may be a rotary, disc-like element mounted for free rotation about a fixed axis. A can-advancing and can-rotating element in the form of a serrated driving wheel is eccentrically mounted on a rotary member which is capable of rotary movements in opposite directions about a fixed axis. A crank arm is fixed to the eccentrically mounted driving wheel and automatic clutch means ar provided whereby initial movement of the crank arm in one direction serves to establish a positive driving connection between the crank arm and the rotary member to move the driving wheel in an orbital path from a retracted position to an advanced position whereby a can or other receptacle applied to the can opening device will be moved toward the cutting element and into engagement with the latter whereby the cutting element penetrates the can lid or end in the vicinity of the rolled bead ordinarily provided At this point in the operation of the device, the driving connection between the crank arm and the rotary member is discontinued and the crank arm is allowed to overrun the rotary member in order to cause the crank arm to rotate th driving wheel and, as a consequence, effect rotation of the can about its axis to cause progressive severing of the can lid from the can body. Such severance of the can lid ordinarily occurs after one complete revolution of the can when the latter is in engagement with the cutting element. Subsequent reverse rotation of the crank handle again establishes a positive driving connection between the crank handle and the rotary member, thus applying a reverse orbital movement to the driving wheel tending to lower the same away from the cutting tool thereby to release the can body from which the can lid has been severed. As will be explained more fully, such a positive driving connection between the crank arm and the rotary member effects a mechanical advantage which is sufficiently great to insure proper operation upon any type of receptacle which it is desired to open and eliminates many of the limitations that are attendant upon the us of can openers of this type which depend for their driving connection between the crank arm and the combined can-advancing and canrotating wheel upon a frictional driving means. The above brief description of the principle of operation of the present invention will be made clear in detail presently and, throughout this specification and in the claims associated therewith, it should be understood that the term canadvancing means refers to the serrated canengaging wheel and its orbital movement whereby the can is bodily forced upwardly into engagement with the cutting element and that the term can-rotating means refers to this same can-engaging wheel and its independent rotational movements about its own axis whereby the can is frictionally or tractionally rotated about its own axis to effect progressive severance of the can lid from th can body thereof.

Referring now to the drawings in detail and in particular to Fig. 1, the can opening device involves in its general organization a body portion which preferably is die-cast and which includes an elongated shank portion 28, generally arcuate in cross section for reinforcing purposes, and having at its outer end an integral head portion 22 with which there is associated all of the operative moving can opening instrumentalities and also having a foot portion 24 (see also Fig. 13) by means of which the can opener device proper may be detachably su ported on a moun ing bracket 26 appearing in Fig. 5 and more fully illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12.

The head portion 22 is irregular in form but generally is of cylindrical design with its axis extending transversely of the shank portion 28. As shown in Figs. 3 to 9 inclusive, the head portion 22 includes a generally cup-shaped casing 28 having a side wall 35) (Figs. 5, 6 and 9) and an open rim portion 32. The cup-shaped casing 23 and side wall 36 afford an internal chamber 3- 3 within the head. The side wall 36 is formed with an internal raised arcuate rib 35 which is substantially concentric with the axis of the head 22 and which performs a function that will be set forth presently. The head 22 is provided with type cutting wheel. The cutting element or wheel 49 is rotatably supported upon a stud 4! threadedly received within the cup-shaped casing 28. As may be seen from an inspection of Fig. 5, the cutting wheel 40 has its axis inclined downwardly from a horizontal plane in order to permit the sharp circular edge of the cutting wheel to pass behind the usual rolled bead provided on a tin can C or other receptacle to be opened so that this wheel may engage the extreme periphery of the can lid or end preparatory t severing the can end from the can body. In this manner the inner bevelled face of th wheel is effective to smooth or fold down any sharp or rough edges that may be created during cutting of the can lid or end into intimate contact with the inner walls of the can body.

The can opening device of the present invention includes a means for initially advancing the can or other receptacle to be opened into cutting engagement with the cutting element 50, together with means for rotating the cam about its central axis after the cutting element has engaged and penetrated the can lid. This means per se is in the form of a toothed or serrated driving wheel 42 which is capable of orbital movement about the central axis AA of the cutting head 22 from a retracted position wherein its uppermost peripheral point is disposed a slight distance beneath the lowermost peripheral point on the cutting element EB, as shown in Figs. 1 and 5, to an advanced position wherein its uppermost peripheral point lies slightly above the lowermost peripheral point on the cutting element 40, as shown in Figs. 2 and 6. It is to be noted that the rear bevelled edge of the cutting element 40 presents a conical surface which is substantially tangent to the front face of the driving wheel 42 when the latter is in its advanced position. By such an arrangement, this conical surface serves to iron down or smooth out any rough edges or irregularity that may be erected during the cutting operation. The driving wheel 42 is capable of independent rotation about its own axis when in its advanced position for the purpose of rotating the can C to cause the cutting element at to progressively sever the can end along a peripheral line from the can body.

In initially supplying a can C or similar receptacle to the can opening device the usual rolled flange associated with such receptacles is caused to rest on the periphery of the driving Wheel 42 after which the driving wheel is moved through its oribtal path of movement in a manner and by means subsequently to be described to elevate the can to a position where the can lid or end is punctured by the sharp edge of the cutting tool or disc 4% and after such initial penetration of the can, the drivin wheel 42 is caused to rotate about its own axis to propel the can or rotate the same and eifect the cutting operation. An arcuate projection or rib 46 integrally formed on the side wall 3!! of the head 22 serves to align the can properly with respect to the cutting tool. A pair of spring fingers 48 project laterally from the side Wall (if! of the head 22. and straddle the cutting device and serve the function of limiting the upward position of the can when the latter is disposed in cutting relationship with respect to the cutting element 50.

The serrated driving wheel $2 is adapted to be threadedly received on a threaded stud 50 integrally formed on one end of a drive shaft 52, the other end of the shaft 52 being received and anchored in a socket 54 (Figs. 5 and 6) provided in a substantially circular closure member 56 which is adapted to substantially close the open side of the head 22 afforded by the rim 32 and which is adapted to be rotated by means of a crank arm 58 integrally formed with the rotary closure member 56, and having an operating handle 59 associated therewith. The shaft 52 is provided with a fiat portion 6% by means of which rotation of the shaft 52 relative to the closure member 56 is prevented and an anchoring screw 62 passes through the closure member 56 and is threadedly received in the end of the shaft 52 to retain the shaft firmly in position within the socket 5 1.

The shaft 52 is rotatably journalled in a bore 64 eccentrically provided in. a rotary bushinglike member- 66 which may be formed by a diecasting operation and which in turn is rotatably journalled in a bore 83 provided in the side wall 30 of the head 22 for rotation about a fixed axis. End play of the shaft 52 relative to the member 66 is restricted by a split spring washer it and a thrust washer 72 which are received in a counterbore at the rear end of the bore 64 and which are disposed between the inner surface of the driving wheel 42 and a wall of the counterbore. The spring washer Hi serves to create a drag or frictional binding action between the inner face of the can driving wheel 42 and the member 68, whereby rotary movement of the drive shaft 52 by means of the crank handle 58 applies a force to the rotary member ($6 tending to rotate the same during such time as the latter is free to rotate when the same is not restricted in its rotary movement by special means subsequently to be described.

From the above description of parts it will be seen that rotational movement of the rotary bushing-like member 65 in either direction results in orbital shifting movement of the bore 64 and this orbital movement is transmitted to the shaft "2 and candriving wheel '22 whereby the wheel may be raised or lowered relative to the cutting tool or disc fit. Rotation of the member 66 from an initial position in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) results in elevation of the can-driving wheel to the position shown in Fig. 2 and reverse rotation of the member resints a lowering of the candriving wheel.

Means are provided for limiting reverse rotation of the closure member 55, i. e., rotation in a direction opposed to that which occurs during actual can opening operations, in order to establish an initial limiting position of the rotary bushing-like member 65 wherein the can-engaging and driving member s2 assumes its lowermost position as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 5. When the driving wheel 52 is in this lowermost position and a can or other receptacle to be opened is placed against the driving wheel with the usual rolled bead thereon overlying the periphery of the wheel and the crank arm 58 is turned in counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 1, the friction exerted by the spring washer it causes the bushing-like member E8 to likewise be rotated in a counterclockwise direction with a consequent counterclockwise orbital shifting movement of the can-driving wheel 42. Such counterclockwise orbital movement of the can-driving wheel 42 serves to shift or elevate the can C vertically so that the can end is brought into engagement with and is initially punctured by the cutting element 4%, after which continued orbital movement of th can driving wheel d2 is arrested and simple rotational movement thereof takes place to rotate the can and cause the can lid to be progressively severed from the can body all in a manner that will be set forth presently,

One of the principal features of the present invention resides in the provision of a means for establishing a positive driving connection between the drive shaft 52 and the rotary bushinglike member 66 in the event that the frictional force exerted by the spring washer is is insufiicient to effect a driving relationship between these two members. In the normal operation of can openers of this type, numerous factors are prevalent which might tend to offer sufficient resistance to orbital movement of the driving wheel 62 to prevent elevation of a can into normal cutting position and it is in this respect that many of the present day can openers of this type are ineihcient in their operation. Among the factors contributing to the inability of the driving wheel 52 to elevate the can are the lodgment of food particles or other foreign matter in the interstices existing between various moving parts of the device; the attempt to open a can or receptacle having an unusually large or iregular rolled bead which cannot be forced past the cutting wheel, the attempt to open a can of extremely heavy gauge which, upon contact with the cutting wheel, presents sufficient resistance to penetration thereby to cause the frictional parts to slip; or the encountering of paper label parts or other foreign substances on the surface of the can which would tend to prevent proper penetration of the cutting wheel into the can end.

The present invention is designed to overcome the above noted limitations that are attendant upon the use of conventional can openers of this type and toward this end a positive driving connection is established between the crank arm 58, as well as the shaft 52 to which it is attached, and the rotary bushing-like member 68. The positive driving connection just referred to is in the form of an automatic double acting clutch mechanism which, during initial movement of the crank arm in a direction to effect can-advancing operations, becomes engaged and establishes a positive driving connection between the crank arm and its shaft 52 and the rotary bushing-like member 66. This positive driving connection is maintained until such time as the can has been fully advanced and the cutting element or disc 40 has penetrated the lid of the can, after which time the clutch becomes disengaged and operates in the manner of an overrunning one-way clutch to release the driving connection between the crank arm 53 together with its shaft 52 and the rotary member 66, and permit continued rotation of the crank arm and shaft 52 to effect rotary movement of the driving wheel 42 to rotate the can C about its axis and effect progressive cutting of the can lid from the can body until such time as the can lid has been completely severed from the latter.

Reverse rotation of the crank arm and its shaft 52 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 7 will again efiect clutch engagement so that the shaft 52 serves to positively drive the rotary member 6'6 in a direction to cause downward orbital movement of the driving wheel 42 to separate this driving wheel from the cutting tool so and bring the same to its initial inoperative lowermost position as shown in Fig. 1.

Referring now to Figs. 5 to 9 inclusive, the bushing-like rotary member 68 includes a cylindrical portion i l by means of which the member is iournalled in the bore 68. A flange portion '56 extends radially from the cylindrical portion 14 and fits snugly within an enlarged circular bore 78 provided in the head portion 22. An annular shoulder 88 is provided on the flange portion '16 and is adapted to bear against a retaining ring or washer 82 which is anchored by means of screws 84 in a recess 86 provided in the head portion 22 of the can opening body. The ring 32 thus serves to retain the rotary member 66 within the head 22 against lateral displacement.

The rotary member $6 is limited in its turning movement within the head 22 and is restricted to a turning movement of approximately 180. To this end a lug 38 (Figs. '7 and 9) is formed on the flange portion of the rotary member 66 and is adapted to travel in an arcuate recess or channel of approximately extent formed interiorly of the head 22, Movement of the rotary member 65 in one direction is limited by a shoulder 92 (Fig. 7) and in the other direction by a shoulder 9-; defining the limits or ends of the channel 90. When the lug 88 is in engagement with the shoulder 94, the can-advancing and driving wheel 92. assumes its lowermost inoperative position, as shown in Fig. 1, and when the lug 88 is in engagement with the shoulder 92, this wheel assumes its operative can-rotating position, shown in Fig. 2.

A clutch finger 96, whichis preferably square in. cross section, is slidably disposed in a transverse bore or guideway 98 provided in the flange portion I6 of the rotary member 66 and is normally maintained in its right-hand position (as viewed in Fig. by means of a flat leaf spring I90, one end of which is anchored as at I92 in aslot I04 provided in the flange portion I6 of the member 66, and the other end of which projects into a slot I96 provided in the clutch finger 96 when the finger 96 is in its normal position. One end thereof, which is rounded as at I98, projects laterally from the face of the flange portion 16 and is positioned in the path of movement of an inclined surface II9 provided on the inner side of the closure member 56 associated with the crank arm 58. When the lug 36 is in engagement with the shoulder 94, the left-hand end of the clutch finger 96, as viewed in Fig. 5, is positioned in close proximity to the raised arcuate rib 35, previously mentioned, and which is formed interiorly of the head 22 and thus the finger I98 is prevented from assuming its left-hand position (as viewed in Fig. 5). Torque applied to the crank arm 58 tending to rotate the same in a counterclockwise can-advancing position (as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2) will cause the inclined cam surface H9 to engage the rounded end of the clutch finger 96 and, since this finger is incapable of being retracted out of the path of movement of the inclined surface III], the clutch finger 96 serves as the engaging medium whereby the rotary member 69 is positively driven from the crank arm 58.

The raised wall 35 is approximately 189 in extent and it terminates in a depression or notch I I4 which, when encountered by the clutch finger 96, permits the latter to ride into the depression under the influence of the cam action which exists between the inclined surface H9 and the rounded end I99 of the clutch finger. When the 4 rotary member 66 is moved into the position wherein the lug 83 strikes or engages the shoulder 92, the clutch finger 96 is in alignment with the recess I I4 so that continued rotation of the crank arm 53 in a counterclockwise direction will force the clutch finger 96 into the recess H4 to thus retract the projecting right-hand end of the clutch finger (as viewed in Fig. 5) to release the closure member 56 associated with the crank arm 98 and thus permit continued counterclockwise rotation of the crank arm. The clutch mechanism, including the clutch finger 99, thus operates in the manner of an overrunning clutch so'that after movement of the rotary member 66' has been arrested and the can-advancing and driving wheel 42 assumes its uppermost operative position (as shown in Fig. 2) the rotary driving wheel 42 will serve to impel the can (3 to cause the same to rotate about its longitudinal axis and effect progressive severing of the can lid from the can body. The closure member 96 of the crank arm 58 is provided with a lateral shoulder II6 (Fig. 8) designed for engagement with the right-hand end of the clutch finger 96 (as viewed in Fig. 5) when the crank arm 99 is rotated in a reverse direction, i. e., in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Figs. 1 andv 8). The shoulder H6 and inclined surface IIII define therebetween a.

notch H8 or depression which exists in a raised annular rib I20 centrally formed. on the inside of the closure member 56 and into which notch the right-hand end of the clutch finger 96 (as viewed in Fig. 5) is adapted to be projected under the influence of the leaf spring I99 whenever this notch comes into register with the clutch finger 96.

From the above description,. it will be appreciated that the clutch finger 96 assumes its righthand position (as viewed in Fig. 5) at all times regardless of the angular position of the rotary member 66, except at those times when the clutch finger 96 is in register with the depression H4 and the closure member 56 overruns the rotary member 66 with the outer face of the rib I29 in engagement with the clutch finger 96. During such overrunning of the closure member 56, the clutch finger 96 moves into position behind the shoulder H6 and enters the recess I I8 once during every complete revolution of the closure member 99. The clutch finger 96, therefore, is at all times conditioned for engagement with the shoulder H6 upon reverse rotation of the shaft 52 whenever torque is applied to the crank arm 58 in a reverse direction.

Depending upon the relative angular position of the crank arm 98 and of the rotary member 96, different degrees of reverse rotation of the closure member 56 will eventually bring the shoulder member H6 into engagement with the clutch finger 96, after which continued reverse rotation of the crank arm will eventually cause the shoulder M9 to engage the clutch finger 96 and rotate the member 66 from its advance operating cutting position to its retracted inoperative position wherein the lug 88 bears against the shoulder 94.

The operation of the can-opening device in severing the can end or head from a can requires but one continuous movement of the crank arm 98, which movement advances the can into contact with the cutting element 49, perforates the lid of a can, and thereafter progressively severs the can end from the can body. When it is desired to sever a can lid from a can or other receptacle, it will be found more often than not that the can opening device has been left from a previous can opening operation in such a position that the combined can-advancing and can-impelling wheel 42 is in its inoperative lowermost position (as seen in Fig. 1) wherein the lug 88 provided on the rotary member 66 is in engagement with the shoulder 94 provided interiorly of the head 22. Ifthe device is found not to be in this condition, it is merely necessary for the operator to rotate the crank arm in a reverse direction, i. e., in a clockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1 so that the shoulder II6 (Fig. 8) takes up the lost motion existing with respect to the projecting end of the clutch finger 9'6 and engages this end of the finger to bring the rotary member 66 to its initial position wherein the lug 89 engages the shoulder 94. The can C or other receptacle to be opened is then placed against the body portion of the head 22 with its cylindrical side bearing against the arcuate projection or rib 46 and with the upper rolled bead of the can overlying the top of the serrated can-advancing or driving wheel 42 so that the can assumes the dotted line position of Fig. 5. The can maybe manually retained in this position for a few moments until such time as the crank arm 58 is. given its initial thrust tending to rotate the same in a counterclockwise direction. (as viewed. in Fig. 1)

during which initial'movement of the crank arm.

the friction exerted by the spring washer I9 between the driving shaft 52 and the rotary member 66 will ordinarily cause immediate counterclockwise rotation of the rotary member 66 and a consequent orbital movement of the driving wheel 42 about the axis AA of Fig. 5, in a generally upward direction, thus carrying the can C bodily upward until such time as the edge of the cutting tool 40 engages the lid or end of the can in the vicinity of the rolled bead associated therewith.

The friction exerted by the washer ID will ordinarily be sufiicient to cause such immediate upward bodily movement of the can C but in the event that for any reason whatsoever the friction exerted by the washer I is not sufficient to transfer the rotary motion of the shaft 52 to the rotary member 66, slippage will take place between these parts until such time as the inclined cam surface I I6 (Figs. '7 and 8) engages the curved or rounded cam surface I08 of the clutch finger 96 which lies in the path of movement of the cam surface I ID. The other end of the clutch finger 96 will at this time bear against the raised wall 35 and prevent sliding movement of the finger 96 in such a direction as to retract the righthand end thereof from the path of movement of the surface I I 6. The right-hand end of the clutch finger 96, therefore, presents a reaction point for the transmission of torque from the crank arm 58 directly to the rotary member '66 and continued rotation of the crank arm in a counterclockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) forces the cam surface I I0 against the end of the finger 96 and, by a materially great mechanical advantage, the member 66 is caused to rotate in a counterclockwise direction to elevate the can bodily, as previously described, into engagement with the cutting tool 46.

Where the friction offered by the thrust washer I0 is sufiicient to cause upward bodily movement of the can C, and the can makes initial contact with this cutting tool, immediate penetration of the can lid by the tool may or may not take place, depending upon the amount of friction exerted by the washer 10. If the friction exerted by the washer I0 is suificiently great to cause can penetration, continued rotary movement of the member 66 will eventually bring the lug 86 into engagement with the shoulder 92 so that further rotation of the member 66 will cease and continued rotation of the crank arm 58 will cause rotational driving movement of the driving wheel 42. If on the other hand the gauge of the can end is sufficiently great as to overcome the friction offered by the washer I0, movement of the inclined cam surface H6 into engagement with the rounded end I68 of the cam finger 96 will exert a powerful upward thrust on the driving wheel 42 and consequently on the can C to cause the desired penetration by the cutting tool.

At the time that the lug 88 engages the shoulder 92 the clutch finger 96 moves into register with the depression or notch II4 formed in the raised wall 35 thereof, thus releasing the clutch finger 96 for movement into this notch by virtue of the camming action existing between the inclined surface III! on the closure member 56 and the rounded end I08 of the finger 96. The end of the finger 96 is therefore retracted out of the path of movement of the inclined surface I I6 and thereafter continued counterclockwise movement of the crank arm 58 causes the crank arm 58 to overrun the rotary member 66 and in so overrunning the driving Wheel 42 is rotated in a direction tending to tractionally impel the can about its own axis to progressively advance the metal of the can lid into engagement with the cutting tool 46. After the can has completed substantially one revolution, the can end becomes completely severed from the can body and it may be removed from the can body by magnetic means subsequently to be described.

In order to release the can body so that access to the contents of the can may be had, the crank arm 56 is rotated in a reverse direction, 1. e., in

a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) upon which movement of the crank arm the shoulder I I6 (Fig. 8) takes up the lost motion existing with respect to the right-hand end of the clutch finger 96 (as viewed in Fig. 5) and upon engagement with this end of the finger, the member 66 is constrained to rotate in a clockwise direction (as viewed in Fig. 1) until such time as the lug 88 again engages the shoulder 94 and the parts assume their normal inoperative position shown in Fig. l with the can-advancing and propelling wheel 42 in its lowermost position.

Referring now to Figs. 1, l1 and 12, wherein the means for mounting the can opening device comprising the present invention from a vertical wall or other supporting surface is shown, the mounting bracket 26 which is designed for cooperation with the foot portion 24 of the can opening device is generally rectangular in its design to substantially conform with the outline of the foot portion 24 so that when the device is assembled upon and supported from the mounting bracket the general contours of both members blend into each other and present a substantially continuous surface. The mounting bracket 26 includes a substantially fiat rectangular plate I79 having attachment holes I'H extending therethrough for the reception of attachment screws (not shown) and having integrally formed therewith a relatively larg block portion I12 and a relatively small block portion I'M having an upper surface I16 provided with an inclined portion ITI, both of which block portions are of inwardly and downwardly tapering design. The upper surface I16 of the block portion I'M assumes an elevation slightly above the elevation of the upper surface I16 of the block portion I12.

The block portion H2 is formed with a relatively deep socket I89 while the block portion I14 is provided with a relatively shallow socket I82 therein.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 13, the foot portion 24 of the can opening device is generally of cupshaped design and is provided with a substantially rectangular open end portion I84, a top wall I86, bottom wall I86 and side walls I96, I92. The foot portion is provided with a cut-away portion I94 designed to accommodate reception therein of the block portion I72 of the mounting bracket 26 when the foot and bracket are assembled on each other. A relatively short boss I96 depends from the top wall I86 adjacent the upper lefthand corner of the foot portion as viewed in Fig. 13 and a relatively long boss I98 depends from the top wall I86 adjacent the right-hand corner of the device. A locking pin 290 projects downwardly from the lower surface of the boss I 96 and is designed for reception in the socket I32 of the block portion I'M of the mounting bracket. Similarly a pivot pin 262 projects downwardly from the boss I98 and is designed for reception in the socket I89 provided in the block I12 of the mounting bracket. A boss 264 is formed on the foot portion adjacent the lower left-hand corner 13 thereof, as viewed in Fig. 13, and is situated directly beneath the boss I95 for a purpose that will appear presently.

In attaching the can opening device shown in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive, or the device of Fig. 10, to a mounting bracket 26 which has been in turn attached to a wall supporting surface, the device is so oriented that the shank portion 20 thereof extends substantially parallel to the base plate I10 of the mounting bracket. In this position it is a comparatively easy matter to insert the pivot pin 20-2 in the socket I80 provided for it in the boss "2. Thereafter the can opener device may be bodily swung about the axis of the pivot pin 202 until such time as the rounded end 20I of the lockingpin engages the inclined surface ITI of the block portion I'I-4 whereupon by a camming action the pin 200, together with the entire can opening device, will ride bodily upwardly out from the inclined surface II'I so that the locking pin 200 may fall by gravity into the socket I02 after which the can opening device is securely locked in an extended position with its longitudinal axis extending substantially perpendicular to the wall surface upon which the mounting bracket 2-6 is secured.

It will be seen that if, during operation of the can opener, an upward thrust or pull is exerted upon the device as a whole as the operating handle is being elevated, and this force is suflicient to initiate an upward bodily movement of the can opening device tending to remove the same from the mounting bracket, the boss 204 (Fig. 13) will strike the lower regions of the block I74 prior to complete removal of the pin 202 from its socket I80 and thus complete dislodgment of the device will be prevented.

When it is desired to remove the device from the mounting bracket 26, it is merely necessary to lift the same bodily upwardly until such time as the boss 204 strikes the lower regions of the block I14 at which time the pin 200 has cleared its socket I82. The device may then be swung laterally until the boss 204 clears the block I14, after which further upward bodily movement of the device will completely detach the same from the mounting bracket.

A slightly modified form of can opening device embodying the principle of the present invention is 'fragmentarily illustrated in Fig. 10. In this form of the invention the can-advancing means, by means of which the can is advanced toward the cutting element or retracted therefrom and the can rotating instrumentalities, by means of which the can is rotated about its axis after it has been brought into engagement with the cutting element, remain substantially the same as in the form of the invention illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive. To avoid needless repetitious description, like characters of reference have been applied to corresponding elements in describing both forms of the invention. It is to be understood that the portions of the modified form of the. device not illustrated in Fig. 10 are identical with the corresponding portions of the form of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 inclusive.

The form of the device shown in Fig. 10 differs from the form of the device illustrated in Figs. 1 to 9 mainly in respect to the means provided for stabilizing or preventing rocking of the can during the actual lid cutting operation. Rocking movement of the can in one direction about its point of support on the upper periphery which is rolled slightly upwardly to stiffen the finger and allow the top of the can to move on the. underneath side of the finger without catching or binding thereon. Rocking movement of the can in the opposite direction is restricted by a shoulder portion I62 which is integrally formed with and projects outwardly from the face of the head portion 22. The underneath surface of the shoulder portion I52 generally follows the contour of the rolled spring finger IEO to likewise prevent binding of the can against this former surface.

The magnetic means above referred to for removing the severed can end or lid from the can body consists of a pickup device illustrated in detail in Fig. 14. According to the present invention, the novel type of pickup device includes a permanent magnet having a relatively large attracting surface area. The magnet is slidably and rotatabl mounted on a supporting bracket and is movable toward and away from the body of the can opening device in order that the same may be centered with respect to the can lid so as to accommodate cans of varying diameter. The attracting surface of the magnet is normally maintained slightly elevated above the level of the can head and means are provided whereby, by a simple manual operation, the magnet may be lowered against the action of spring pressure into direct contact with the surface of the can head near the geometrical center thereof prior to rotation of the can body for lid severing purposes. The magnet, being attracted to the can lid, will remain magnetically anchored to the lid and will rotate therewith during the lid cutting operation. Immediately upon complete severance of the lid from the can body the magnet will move to its elevated position under the influence of a sprin device to thus bodily elevate the can lid and detach the same from the can body. Referring now to Figs. 14 and 15, a supporting bracket I30 overlies the head 22 and is provided with a forked end I32. Portions of the metal of the head portion 36 are cut away as at I34 to permit the tines of the forked end I32 to be received behind the flat retaining ring 82, as shown in Fig. 5, to support the bracket I30 from the head 22. The bracket I39 is bent downwardly, as at I36, and laterally, as at I38, and this laterally extending portion is provided with an elongated slot I46 therein. A permanent magnet I 42 is movably suspended from the laterally extending portion I38 of the bracket I30 and is generally of cylindrical design and is provided with a fiat attracting surface I44, which normally assumes an elevation slightly above the level of the can lid when the can has been moved by the can-advancing means or driving wheel d2 to its uppermost position wherein the cutting tool 40 penetrates the can lid. The magnet I42 threadedly receives a stem I46 which projects upwardly through the slot I40 and which is adapted to threadedly receive thereon a suspension nut I43. A cup-shaped member I50, disas a can has been received by the can opening device and supported thereon with the cutting tool 46 penetrating the can lid, the operator depresses the suspension nut I48 thereby forcing the stem I46 and magnet I42 downwardly so that the attracting surface I44 squarely meets the flat upper surface of the can lid, at which time the magnet is attracted to the can and remains in contact therewith against the action of the spring I52. At the precise moment when the can lid has been severed from the can body, the tendency for the spring I52 to expand causes the magnet I42 to be drawn upwardly to its normal position carrying with it the can lid, which is thus completely removed from the can body. It is to be noted that the bottom of the cup-shaped member I56 is slightly rounded, thus permitting a rocking movement of this member on the upper surface of the laterally extending portion I36 of the bracket I36. This allows the magnet I42 to have a slight universal play so that the same may radially adjust itself to the level or inclination of the can lid. The elongated slot [:36 permits lateral shifting movement of the magnet I42 so that the same may be substantially centered on can lids of varying sizes.

In the operation of the improved can opener, in order to remove or cut the lid from a can or similar receptacle, after the can opening device per se has been attached to the mounting bracket 26 in the manner described above, and the crank arm 58 is in a position wherein the driving wheel 42 is in its lowermost position, as viewed in Fig. 1, the can is manually placed in position with the usual rolled circumferential bead thereof rest ng upon the peripheral edge of the driving wheel and with the side of the can bearing against the arcuate projection 46. The can thus assumes a substantially vertical position. The crank arm 58 is then rotated in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 1, thus rotating the closure member 56 and the drive shaft 52 in the same direction.

If the crank arm 53 is in a position wherein the inclined cam surface H6 (Fig. 8) is remote from the rounded end I68 of the clutch finger 96, the friction exerted by the washer '16 may be sufiicient to establish a driving connection between the drive shaft 52 and the bushing-like member 66 so that continued movement of the crank arm in a counterclockwise direction will rotate the bushing-like member in the same direction to impart an orbital and generally upward movement to the driving wheel 42. If the friction of the washer '16 is insufiicient to accomplish this function, the rotary bushing-like member 66 will remain stationary until such time as the inclined surface i ID of the closure member '6 engages the rounded end !68 of the clutch finger Since the clutch finger is maintained in its extreme right-hand position, as viewed in Fig. 5, by virtue of its alignment with the raised arcuate rib 35 provided on the head portion 22 of the device, continued movement of the crank arm will establish a positive driving connection between the driving shaft 52 and the bushing-like member 66.

Such counterclockwise rotation of the bushinglike member 66 will continue until such time as the lug 855 strikes the shoulder 6d of the recess 96 at which time further rotary movement of the member 66 is terminated and continued movement of the crank arm 56 results solely in rotation of the driving wheel 5-2 about its axis of rotation with a consequent tractional impelling of the can so as to cause same to rotate about its own longi-' tudinal axis.

Immediately prior to arrival of the driving wheel 42 at its uppermost position the sharp edge of the cutting tool 46 penetrates the can lid and punctures the same so that during rotation of the can relative to this cutting tool the lid thereof is progressively severed at or near its periphery from the can body. After substantially one complete rotation of the can, the lid is completely severed therefrom and the magnet I42, which has previously been depressed so that its surface I44 engages the can lid, operates under the influence of the spring I52 to elevate the lid out of contact with the cam body.

It is to be understood that due to the relatively small diameter of the driving wheel 42, several complete rotations of the operating crank 58 may be necessary to effect one complete rotation of the can body. Accordingly, when the lug 68 strikes the shoulder 94 of the recess 90, the clutch finger 96 is in alignment with the depression II4 provided in the raised wall 35. Thus, each time the inclined surface II6 of the closure member 56 encounters the rounded end I08 of the clutch finger 96, the clutch finger will be retracted or forced into the depression I I4 so that the inclined surface may ride over the clutch finger to allow the closure member 56 and drive shaft 52 to overrun the rotary bushing-like member 66.

After the lid has been completely severed from the can body and elevated by the magnet as previously described, in order to free the can body from the device the crank arm 58 is given a reverse or counterclockwise motion, as viewed in Fig. 1, whereupon the shoulder II6 closes upon and engages the right-hand end of the clutch finger 66 and the rotary bushing-like member 66 is thus rotated in a clockwise direction until such time as the lug 88 engages the shoulder 92 of the recess 96. During such rotary movement of the bushing-like member 66, the driving wheel 42 has imparted thereto an orbital movement which withdraws the same from the cutting element 46 and restores the same to its lowermost position as shown in Fig. 1.

I claim:

1. A can opener comprising a body having a socket opening through one side wall, a bore of smaller diameter than said socket coaxial therewith and opening through the other side wall of the body, a cutting member mounted on said other side wall adjacent said opening, a rotatable unit having a portion journaled in said bore and an enlarged portion in said socket, a shaft journaled in said rotatable unit eccentrically with respect to the axis of said bore and projecting beyond opposite side walls of said body, mutually engageable stops on said body and rotatable unit for limiting rotary movement of the latter in either direction, a driving wheel on said shaft adjacent said second side wall, a crank unit carried on the other end of said shaft and having an enlarged portion overlying and substantially closing said socket, a clutch including a notch in one of said units and a latch carried by the other unit for reciprocable movement parallel to the axis of rotation of said rotatable unit for engagement with said notch to drivingly connect said units, a spring urging said latch into said notch, and means for moving said latch out of said notch for relative rotation of said units upon rotation of said. crank unit through a predetermined rotational movement thereof and when said rotatable umt is in one limit position.

2. A can opener comprising a casing having a head portion supporting can opening mechanism, said head portion having a circular opening therein, and an arm portion adapted for attachment to a wall or the like surface for supporting the device as a'whole in operative condition, said can opening mechanism including a rotatable unit having a hub rotatably mounted in said opening and an opening through said hub eccentric to its axis of rotation, anactuating unit having a shaft rotatably mounted in said hub opening with an end thereof projecting therethrough, a handle on said shaft opposite its projecting end for rotation of said shaft and having an enlarged portion overlying said circularopening and defining with said head portion a chamber, a can rotating wheel on the projecting end of said shaft, a cutter rotatably carried by said head above said rotatable unit, and clutch means between said units to connect them for partial rotation together and to then disconnect them for continued rotation of said actuating unit alone, which clutch means includes a notch in one of said units, a latch element on the other of said units adapted to be moved in a direction parallel to the axis of said shaft and to be held in said notch for said partial rotation and out of said notch for rotation ofsaid actuating unit alone, spring means constantly urging said latch element in'a direction to enter said notch, stop means between said rotatable unit and said head for stopping said rotatable unit at the end-of said partial rotation, andcam means in said chamber acting on said latch element at the endof said partial rotation for moving saidlatch element out of said notch and disconnecting said units -for continued rotation of said actuating unit.

3. In a device for severing lids from 'cans or similar receptacles, a "frame, a cutting tool carried by said frame and establishing a fixed cutting region with respect to a can lid'to be severed, a rotary member mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis, a driving member mounted on said rotary member including a shaft rotatablyand eccentrically mounted in the rotary member, a can-advancing and impel-ling wheel mounted on said shaft and movable with the latter upon rotationof the rotary member from a retracted position wherein it is remote from said cutting tool through an orbital path to an advanced-cutting position wherein it is in close proximity to said cutting tool-and whereby'a can supported on the driving wheel is brought into cutting relation with respect to the cutting tool, a positive clutch for connecting said driving member and rotary member, said-clutch comprising engageable clutch parts including a clutch element slidably mountedon oneof said members for lateral movement thereon in opposite directions generally parallel to said fixed axis and a clutch element fixedly mounted on the other member, means operable during rotation of said driving member for projecting the movably mounted clutch element into register with the fixedly mounted element fordrivingengagement therebetween, and cammeans-operablewhen said wheel approaches its advanced cutting position for rendering said projecting means inoperative thereby to permit said driving member to overrun said rotary member, and'means'for rotating said driving member.

4. In a device for severing 'lids from loans or similar receptac es, .a frame, a cutting tool carting region with respec't'to a canlid to be severed,

a rotary member mounted on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis, a driving member rotatably and eccentrically mounted on said rotary member, a can-advancing and impelling wheel mounted on said driving member and movable with the latter upon rotation of the rotary member from a retracted position wherein it is remote from said cutting tool through an orbital path to an advanced cutting position wherein it is in close proximity to said cutting tool and whereby a can supported on the driving wheel is brought into cutting relation with respect to the cutting tool, a positive clutch for connecting said driving member and rotary member, said clutch comprising engageable clutch parts including a clutch element slidably mounted on said rotary member for lateral movement thereon in opposite directions generally parallel to said fixed axis and a clutch element fixedly mounted on said driving member, spring means normally projecting the movable clutch element into register with the fixedly mounted clutch element for driving engagement therebetween, cooperating means between said movabl clutch element and said frame including a cam surface on .saidzframe upon which said movable clutch element is adapted to ride .assaid wheel approaches its advanced position for guiding said movable clutch element out of the path of movement of said fixedly mounted clutch element under the driving influence of said driving member to permit said driving member to overrun said rotary member, and means for rotating said driving member.

5. In a device for severing lids from cans or similar receptacles, a frame including a generally cupped head portion having a side wall and an open rim portion, a rotary member nested within said head portion for rotation about a fixed axis and having a reduced circular portion projecting through said side wall, a cutting tool mounted on said side wall exteriorly of said head and establishing a fixed cutting region with respect to a can lid to be severed, a drive shaft rotatably and eccentrically journaled in said rotary member and projecting completely therethrough, a can-advancing and impelling Wheel mounted on said shaft exteriorly of said head and movable upon rotation of the shaft from a retracted position wherein it is remote from said cutting tool to an advanced cutting position adjacent said tool, cooperating means .on said head portion and rotary vmember establishing the advanced position of said wheel, a crank arm secured to said driving shaft and including a closure for said open rim portion, a positive clutch for connecting the .drive shaft and rotary member in driving relationship including aclutch element slidably disposed in said rotary .member for movement in.a direction parallel to the axis of rotation of said .rotary member and of greater length than the thickness of said rotary member,

a surface of said side wall bearing against the end ofsaid slidable clutch element during movement of the Wheel from its retracted position to a position closely approaching its advanced position to maintain the other end of the slidable clutch'element projected from the surface of the rotary member, and a clutch element fixedly mounted on said closure member in register with the projected end of said slidable clutch element,

there being a recess in said side wall into which said first mentioned end of the slidableclutchelement is adapted to ride when-said wheel assumes its advanced position to withdraw the projected endof the-slidable clutch-element from register 19 with said fixedly mounted clutch element and permit the drive shaft to overrun said rotary member.

6. In a device for severing lids from cans, a frame, 9, cutting tool mounted on said frame and establishing a fixed cutting region with respect to a can lid to be severed, a rotary member mounted on said frame for limited rotation in opposite directions about a fixed axis, a shaft eccentrically mounted on said rotary member for orbital movement about said fixed axis and for independent rotary movement about its own axis, a can-advancing and impelling wheel mounted on said shaft and movable from a retracted position in an initial extreme position of the rotary member to an advanced cutting position in a final extreme position of said rotary member, a crank arm secured to said shaft, a clutch finger slidably mounted on said rotary member between said crank arm and frame and capable of selectively engaging said frame and said crank arm, means on said frame and bearing against said clutch finger for maintaining the latter in clutching engagement with said crank arm when said rotary member assumes a position other than its final extreme position, and an abutment on said crank arm and bearing against said clutch finger for maintaining the latter in locking ngagement with said frame when said rotary member assumes said final extreme position.

'7. In a device for severing lids from cans, a frame, a cutting tool mounted on said frame and establishing a fixed cutting region with respect to a can lid to be severed, a rotary member mounted on said frame for limited rotation in opposite directions about a fixed axis, a driving shaft including a crank arm eccentrically mounted on said rotary member for orbital movement about said fixed axis and for independent rotary movement about an axis, a crank arm for rotating said shaft, a can-advancing and impelling wheel mounted on said driving shaft and movable from a retracted position in one extreme orbital position of said driving shaft to an advanced cutting position in the other extreme orbital position of said driving shaft, a positive clutch including a clutch finger for connecting said driving shaft and rotary member and efiective during movement of said wheel from its retracted position toward its advanced position to engage the clutch and couple the driving shaft and rotary member in driving relationship and effective when said wheel is in its advanced cutting position to disengage said clutch and permit overrunning of the crank arm, and abutment means engageable by said clutch finger and providing therewith positive brake means effective when said wheel is in its advanced position for coupling said rotary member and frame to prevent reverse rotation of said rotary member during overrunning of said crank arm.

8. A device for severing lids from cans, comprising three relatively movable parts including a frame, an intermediate member, and a driving member, means rotatably journaling said intermediate member on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis from an intermediate position to a final position, means eccentrically and rotatably journaling said driving member on said intermediate member, a cutting tool on said frame establishing a fixed cutting region, a can-impelling wheel mounted on said driving member and movable with the latter through an orbital path into cutting relation with respect to said cutting tool during movement of said intermediate memher from its initial to its final position, a positive clutch for coupling said driving member and intermediate member in driving relationship, said clutch including a finger slidably disposed on said intermediate member, an abutment on said driving member, and means on said frame bearing against said finger for projecting the same into the path of movement of said abutment during movement of said intermediate member from its initial position toward its final position whereby rotation of the driving member will impel said intermediate member toward its final position, said finger being retractable out of the path of movement of said abutment when said intermediate member assumes its final position, said abutment and finger having a camming engagement with each other when said intermediate member is in its final position to cause such retraction of said finger to allow said driving member to overrun said intermediate member.

9. A device for severing lids from cans, comprising three relatively movable parts including a frame, an intermediate member, and a driving member, means rotatably journaling said intermediate member on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis from an intermediate position to a final position, means eccentrically and rotatably journaling said driving member on said intermediate member, a cutting tool on said frame establishing a fixed cutting region, a can-impelling wheel mounted on said driving member and movable with the latter through an orbital path into cutting relation with respect to said cutting tool during movement of said intermediate member from its initial to its final position, a positive clutch for coupling said driving member and intermediate member in driving relationship, a positive brake for locking said intermediate member to said frame, said clutch and brake including a common operating finger slidably disposed on said intermediate member, said clutch also including an abutment on said driving member, and means on said frame and bearing against said finger for projecting the same into the path of movement of said abutment during movement of said intermediate member from its initial position toward its final position whereby rotation of the driving member in one direction will impel said intermediate member toward its final position, said finger being retractable out of the path of movement of said abutment when said intermediate member is in its final position, said abutment and finger having camming engagement with each other when said intermediate member is in its final position to cause such retraction of said finger to allow said driving member to overrun said intermediate member, said brake including in addition to said finger a shoulder on said frame positioned in the path of movement of said finger when the latter is retracted for preventing reverse movement of said intermediate member during overrunning of said driving member.

10. A device for severing lids from cans, comprising three relatively movable parts including a frame, an intermediate member, and a driving member, means rotatably journaling said intermediate member on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis from an initial position to a final position, means eccentrically and rotatably journaling said driving member on said intermediate member, a cutting tool on said frame establishing a fixed cutting region, a can-impelling wheel mounted on said driving member and movable with the latter through an orbital path intocutting relation with respect to said cutting tool during movement of said intermediate member from its initial to its final position, 'a positive clutch for coupling said driving member and intermediate member in driving relationship, meansincluding a portion of said clutch providing a positive brake for locking said intermediate member to said frame, means operable when said intermediate member is in a position other than its final position for engaging said clutch to connectsaid driving member and intermediate member in driving relationship, means operable when said driving member is in its final position for disengaging said clutch to permit overrunnin'g of said driving member, and means operable when said intermediate member is in its final position for engaging said brake during overrunning of said driving member to prevent reverse rotation of said intermediate member.

l1 A device for severing lids from cans, coinprising three relatively movable parts including a frame, an intermediate member, and a driving member, means rotatably journaling said intermediate member on said frame for rotation about a fixed axis from an initial position to a final position, means eccentrically and rotatably journaling said driving member on saidintermediate member, a cutting tool on said frame establishing a fixed cutting region, a can-impelling wheel mounted on said driving member and movable with the latter through an orbital path into cutting relation with respect to said cutting tool during movement of said intermediate member from its initial to its final position, a positive clutch for coupling said driving ,rnemberand intermediate member in driving relationship, means including a portion of said clutch providing a positive brake for locking said intermediate member to said frame, said clutch including a clutch element on said driving membar and a cooperating clutch element slidably disposed on said intermediate member, said brake including a brake element on said frame and also including said slidable clutch element, means on said frame and bearing against said slidable clutch element during movement of said intermediate member from its initial position toward its final position for projecting said slidable clutch element into the path'of movement of said clutch element, and means on said driving member and bearing against said finger for projecting the latter into register with said brake element when said intermediate member is in its final position. i v 12. In a device for severing lids from cans or similar receptacles, a frame, a cutting tool carried by said frame and establishing a fixed cutting region with respect to a can lid to be severed, a rotary member mounted on said frame for rotation in opposite directions about a fixed axis, a driving member rotatably and eccentrically mounted on said rotary member, a can-advancing and driving wheel fixed on said driving member and movable with the latter upon rotation of the rotary member in a forward can-advancing and cutting direction from a retracted position wherein it is remote from said cutting tool through an orbital path to an advanced cutting position wherein it is in close proximity to said cutting tool and whereby a can supported on the driving wheel is brought into cutting relation with respect to the cutting tool, means limiting rotation of said rotary member in the reverse direction to establish the retracted position of said wheel, means limiting rotation of said rotary member in said rotary member from a position wherein said wheel is retracted to a position wherein it is advanced for maintaining said clutch finger in the path of movement of said abutment, means operable upon rotation of said driving member in its forward direction'and when said wheel is in its advanced position for causing periodic withdrawal of said clutch finger from the path of movement of said abutment to permit said driving member to overrun said rotary member, a shoulder on said frame, said clutch finger upon such withdrawal thereof being projected into register'with said shoulder to prevent rotation'of said rotary member in said reverse direction to lock said can-advancing and driving wheel in its advanced position during overrunning of said driving member, and means for rotating said driving member in either direction.

13. In a device for severing lids from cans or similar receptacles, a frame, a cutting tool carried by said frame and establishing a fixed cutting region with respect to a can lid to be severed,

driving wheel is brought into cutting relation with respect to the cutting tool, means limiting rotation of said rotary member in the reverse direction to establish the retracted position of the can-advancing and driving wheel, means limiting rotation of said rotary member in said forward direction to establish the advanced cutting position of the can-advancing and driving wheel, friction means operatively connecting said rotary member and said driving member whereby'the former is normally constrained 'to follow the rotary movement of the latter, a positive clutch for connecting said driving member and rotary member in driving relationship for movement in unison in said forward direction, said clutch including a clutch finger on said rotary member, an abutment on said driving member positioned for engagement with said clutch finger, means normally projecting said clutch finger into the path of movement of said abutment, means including said abutment operable upon rotation of said driving member in said forward direction and when said can-advancing and driving wheel is in its advanced position, for causing periodic withdrawal of said clutch finger from the path of movement of said abutment to permit said driving member to overrun said rotary member in said can-advancing and cutting direction and render said friction driving means inoperative,

and means for rotating said driving member in either direction.

14. In a can opener of the type having a cutter wheel and a cooperating drive wheel to engage the can, a stationary body having an opening therethrough, a shaft extending through said opening, an eccentric sleeve member rotatably disposed in said opening and rotatably supporting said shaft, one of said wheels carried by said body and the other mounted on said shaft to turn therewith, a crank member connected to said shaft to turn the same and positioned adjacent the end of said sleeve member, a clutch member movably mounted on said eccentric member, said eccentric member having guide means restricting the movement of said clutch member relative to said eccentric member to movement along a path substantially paralleling said shaft, and yieldable means urging said clutch member along said path toward said crank member, said crank member having an abutment for intermittent connection with said clutch member upon turning of the crank member to effect rotation of said eccentric member for moving said shaft and other wheel relative said one wheel, said body having a surface engageable with said clutch member for effecting positive engagement between said clutch member and said abutment throughout a portion only of the path of rotation of said crank member.

15. In a can opener of the type having a cutter wheel and a cooperating drive wheel to engage the can, a stationary body having an opening therethrough, a shaft extending through said opening, an eccentric sleeve member rotatably disposed in said opening and rotatably supporting said shaft, one of said wheels carried by said body and the other mounted on said shaft to turn therewith, a crank member connected to said shaft to turn the same and positioned adjacent the end of said sleeve member, a clutch member movably mounted on said eccentric member, said eccentric member having guide means restricting the movement of said clutch member relative to said eccentric member to movement along a path substantially paralleling said shaft, and yieldable means urging said clutch member along said path toward said crank member, said crank member having a notch formed with a first, inclined side wall defining an inclined abutment for intermittent connection with said clutch member upon turning of the crank member in one direction to effect rotation of said eccentric member for moving said shaft and other wheel relative said one wheel, said body having a surface engageable with said clutch member for effecting positive engagement between said clutch member and said inclined abutment throughout a portion only of the path of rotation of said crank member, said notch having a second side wall extending substantially parallel to the direction of movement of said clutch member and defining an abutment engageable with said clutch member upon turning of said crank member in the other direction.

16. In a can opener of the type having a cutter wheel and a cooperative drive wheel to engage the can, a stationary body having an opening therethrough, a shaft extending through said opening, an eccentric sleeve member rotatably disposed in said opening and rotatably supporting said shaft, means for limiting the movement of said eccentric member to less than one revolution, one of said Wheels carried by said body and the other mounted on said shaft to turn therewith, a crank member connected to said shaft to turn the same and positioned adjacent the end of said sleeve member, a clutch member movably mounted on said eccentric member, said eccentric member having guide means restricting the movement of said clutch member relative to said eccentric member to movement along a path substantially paralleling said shaft, and yieldable means urging said clutch member along said path toward said crank member, said crank member having an abutment for intermittent connection with said clutch member upon turning of the crank member to effect rotation of said eccentric member for moving said shaft and other wheel relative said one wheel, said body having a surface engageable with one end of said clutch member for effecting positive engagement between said clutc'n member and said shoulder only throughout the limit of movement of said eccentric member, and a recess adjacent one end of said surface for receiving said one end of said clutch member to permit said crank member to be further rotated in one direction after said eccentric member reaches the limit of its movement.

HERBERT C. JOHNSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,895,221 Jensen Jan. 24, 1933 2,148,130 Murdock Feb. 21, 1939 2,244,846 Moeller June 10, 1941 2,248,410 Moeller July 8, 1941 2,265,491 Powers Dec. 9, 1941 2,427,613 McLean Sept. 16, 1947 

